Purse or wallet

ABSTRACT

A flexible purse or wallet has at least one compartment for storing at least one flat object therein; and an attachable surface thereon, which permits removably attaching at least one small item thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/853,590, filed May 11, 2001, by the same inventor, incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to a purse and more particularly to a purse adapted to provide easy access to cosmetics, currency, credit cards, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In this hectic world, portability offers great advantages. If an item or a series of items can be contained and transported simply, great advantage can be obtained. The container must, however, provide both ease of storage and access to the items contained therein, while sacrificing the desire of neither aspect. However, clearly these requirements work against each other. Ease of storage for a container holding a plurality of items requires a relatively small size. The small size works against ease of access. A larger size, which permits the holding a number of items, works against ease of storage.

[0004] Furthermore, the items within the container must have a specified position. In providing a rather small container, fixed positions are difficult to obtain. Additionally, holding a plurality of small items within such a container complicates the issue.

[0005] For example, a suitable cosmetic case requires items such as lipstick, eyeliner, rouge, powder, lotion, fragrance, and the like. While all of these items are available in small containers, no effective mechanism exists for efficient storing the items, while maintaining access thereto and portability thereof.

[0006] It is also desirable to have the currency or credit card contained in a cosmetic case or purse. If the presence of this currency or credit card can be concealed in a purse, even greater advantages are obtained. Thus, it is desired to modify a cosmetic case to carry such items while maintaining the portability of the cosmetic case and the required access to the items contained therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Among the many objectives of this invention is providing a purse or wallet for holding a plurality of small items.

[0008] A further objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet with a positioning device. Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet providing access to a plurality of small items.

[0009] A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet being foldable.

[0010] Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet with a currency compartment.

[0011] Another objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet having closable assembly.

[0012] Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet with a credit card compartment.

[0013] Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a purse or wallet capable of being rolled in order to close the same.

[0014] These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a flexible purse or wallet having at least one compartment therein to receive or conceal at least one flat object; and an attachable surface thereon, which permits removably attaching at least one small item thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 depicts a rolled perspective view of a purse 100 of this invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 depicts an unrolled perspective view of a purse 100 of this invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a purse 100 of this invention, with contents shown in position.

[0018]FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of an article 128 in relation to fixing device 130. Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The purse or wallet, in flexible sheet form, provides various positioning points for individual items. Preferably, the holding mechanism for each of the positioning points is a hook and loop assembly. Throughout the specification, purse and wallet may be used interchangeably. Mounted on the purse or wallet is one side of the hook and loop assembly in either a continuous or discontinuous action. The other part of the hook and loop assembly is mounted on each item, for which support within the container is desired.

[0020] The purse or wallet may be a flexible material, a rigid material, or a semi-rigid material. With a flexible material, it is possible to roll up the purse or wallet in order to close the same and provide for easy storage or transport. If the material is rigid or semi-rigid, the portable carrying may be completed by placing that material in a bag or other protective item for transportation. When use is desired, storage procedures may be reversed.

[0021] Any material may be used to form the purses. An inexpensive material may be used to manufacture a utilitarian case. More expensive materials may be used for high fashion versions of the purse or wallet, whether the case is flexible, semi-rigid or rigid.

[0022] Preferably the sheet forming a purse or wallet includes two layers having an openable side, thereby providing a container for holding currency, a credit card, or the like. The openable side is preferably closed with a hidden zipper or slide fastener. Other closing devices can be a hook and loop assembly, a snap assembly, or similar fastener. Preferably, the fastener is hidden or hidable, for either aesthetic or security reasons. In this fashion, the presence of the currency or the credit card is at least partially concealed.

[0023] Additionally, a credit card pocket may be formed therein by sewing, gluing or other appropriate mechanisms. Such a pocket is formed with an additional sheet of material or from the two pieces of material forming the purse or wallet itself.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, purse or wallet 100 includes flexible sheet 120. The flexible sheet 120 includes a mounting sheet 122 and backing sheet 124. On the mounting sheet 122, is secured a holding mechanism 126. Clearly, the holding mechanism 126 is also flexible. In this fashion, when purse or wallet 100 is rolled up and secured with fastener 190, any article 128 may be contained therein. Fastener 190 may be a hook and loop assembly available under the Trademark VELCRO.

[0025] Adding FIG. 4 to the consideration, article 128 includes thereon a fixing device 130 adapted to be removably secured to holding mechanism 126. A typical material for fixing device 130 is part of a hook and loop assembly, commonly available under the registered trademark VELCRO. Holding mechanism 126 and fixing device 130 may be of any suitable type. However, the hook and loop assembly available under the Registered Trademark VELCRO is preferred.

[0026] Flexible sheet 120 has holding mechanism 126 on storage side 132. Outside view 134 is oppositely disposed from storage side 132, and is visible when purse or wallet 100 is closed. Mounting sheet 122 and backing sheet 124 are preferably secured on three sides, by sewing, gluing, welding or other securing mechanism. The three side securing mechanism is preferably a permanent securing device.

[0027] Mounting sheet 122 and backing sheet 124 are preferably secured on a fourth side, in a releasable fashion. Such a releasable securing device provides for access to currency 140, at least one credit card 142, or similar items. Such similar items may include an identity card such as a driver's license or the like.

[0028] The releasable securing device is preferably a hidden zipper or slide fastener 150. The slide fastener 150 may be installed in any suitable fashion. Preferably, with the slide fastener 150 or similar device concealed, the presence of anything on the interior of the purse or wallet 100 is at least partially concealed.

[0029] A card pocket 160 for the credit card is formed by an inner seam 162. Inner seam 162 cooperates with mounting sheet 122 to form the card pocket 160. Inner seam 162 secures card flap 164 to mounting sheet 122 on one side as the outer seams 174 joining mounting sheet 122 to backing sheet 124 secured to other sides of card flap 164, thereby leaving an opening 176 adapted to carry credit card 142.

[0030] The outer seams 174 permit mounting sheet 122 and backing sheet 124 to cooperate and form a large pocket 180. Large pocket 180 can receive currency 140 or the like.

[0031] This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

[0032] Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure. 

What is claimed and sought to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A portable carrying case adapted for use as a purse or a wallet, while providing easy access to a plurality of items, comprising: (a) the portable carrying case having a base and a holding mechanism; (b) the holding mechanism being secured to the base; (c) the holding mechanism being adapted to removably receive at least one article; (d) the at least one article being adapted to fit within the portable carrying case; (e) the portable carrying case having a closing means in order to contain the at least one article for transport; (f) the holding mechanism being adapted to removably receive a securing means, the securing means being mounted on a single member of the group consisting of the at least one article in order to removably position the at least one article on the holding mechanism; (g) the portable carrying case being openable in order to provide access to the at least one article for transport; (h) the portable carrying case being closable in order to contain the at least one article for transport; (i) the portable carrying case having at least one pocket; and (j) the at least one pocket being adapted to receive at least one flat object.
 2. The portable carrying case of claim 1 further comprising: (a) the base being formed of a flexible material; (b) the holding mechanism being formed of a flexible material; (c) the holding mechanism forming part of a hook and loop assembly; and (d) the at least one flat object being at least one selected from the group consisting of currency, a credit card, and an identification card.
 3. The portable carrying case of claim 2 further comprising: (a) the flexible material being adapted for a rolled closure; (b) a closure device being mounted on the flexible material; and (c) the closure device being adapted to hold the flexible material in a rolled storage position.
 4. The portable carrying case of claim 3 further comprising: (a) the holding mechanism being a hook portion of the hook and loop assembly; (b) the closure device being a hook and loop assembly; and (c) a mirror being mounted on the flexible sheet.
 5. A portable carrying case adapted to provide easy access to a plurality of items, comprising: (a) the portable carrying case having a base and a holding mechanism; (b) the holding mechanism being secured to the base; (c) the holding mechanism being adapted to removably receive at least one article; (d) the at least one article being adapted to fit within the portable carrying case; (e) the portable carrying case having a closing means in order to contain the at least one article for transport; (f) the holding mechanism being adapted to removably receive a securing means, the securing means being mounted on a single member of the group consisting of the at least one article in order to removably position the at least one article on the holding mechanism; (g) the portable carrying case being openable in order to provide access to the at least one article for transport; (h) the portable carrying case being closable in order to contain the at least one article for transport; (i) the base being a rollable material; (j) the holding mechanism being a hook portion of a hook and loop assembly; (k) the securing means being a loop portion of a hook and loop assembly; (l) the at least one pocket being a large pocket and a small pocket; (m) the large pocket being adapted to receive currency; and (n) the small pocket being adapted to receive a credit card or an identification card.
 6. The portable carrying case of claim 5 further comprising: (a) a closure device being mounted on the flexible material; (b) a mirror being mounted on the flexible sheet. (c) the flexible material having at least one of the holding mechanisms thereon; (d) the holding mechanism being adapted to receive at least one fixing device; (e) an angle of use providing a relationship between the support stand and the implement face; (f) a fixing device from the at least one fixing device being secured to at least one item selected from the group of at least one piece of office equipment and at least one cosmetic element; and (g) the fixing device providing storage and accessibility for the at least one item.
 7. The portable carrying case of claim 6 further comprising the holding mechanism being continuous.
 8. The portable carrying case of claim 6 further comprising the holding mechanism being discontinuous. 